Local law · Int 0410-2026
Requiring certain retail stores to accept flexible benefit cards
Official titleShow
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring certain retail stores to accept flexible benefit cards
The heading above is this same sentence with its legal opening removed. No words were added, changed or reordered.
New York City Council
Summary
This bill would require retail stores that primarily sell food for off-site consumption and retail stores that include a pharmacy to accept flexible benefits cards distributed by health insurance providers. This requirement would only apply to such retail stores that currently accept credit or debit cards. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (“DCWP”) would be required to provide outreach and education on this requirement. For any violation that occurs within one year of this requirement becoming law, DCWP would issue a warning. After one year, DCWP may issue a civil penalty of $250 for a first violation and $500 for any subsequent violation within 18 months of a previous violation.
Summary from NYC Council (Legistar). How we handle summaries
From the NYC Council's legislative record (Legistar) and official rosters. This record was last updated Aug 1, 2026. About our data
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Where it stands
Assigned to a committee for review.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
Cosponsors
Christopher Marte, Farah N. Louis and 4 others
Cosponsors in the order the New York City Council lists them.
- Democratic6
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Full history
- Feb 23, 2026
Hearing held
This Introduction was Hearing Held by Committee
Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
- Feb 23, 2026
Held over
This Introduction was Laid Over by Committee
Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
- Jan 29, 2026
Introduced
This Introduction was Introduced by Council
NYC Council
- Jan 29, 2026
Referred to committee
This Introduction was Referred to Comm by Council to the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
NYC Council